May 17 MLB Series Prices: Rays, Yankees Clash in Battle for Top Spot in AL East

• The Tampa Bay Rays visit the injury-hobbled, but surging New York Yankees in a battle for first place in the AL East
• The red-hot Astros look to avenge their loss in last season’s ALCS as they make the trip to Fenway Park to face the Red Sox
• The Milwaukee Brewers aim to close the gap on the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs as they visit the Atlanta Braves

A busy weekend awaits for baseball fans, with some key series matchups with major implications for the divisional standings.

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays meet for the second time in a week, as they continue their tight battle for first place in the AL East, and the red-hot Houston Astros visit the Boston Red Sox, who are finally showing signs of returning to contending form. While over in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves both take winning streaks into their three-game weekend set.

We have odds for each of these new series as well as every other series kicking off on Friday.

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Series Price

Yankees Bid for Sixth Straight Series Win at Home

First place in the AL East will be on the line as the New York Yankees open a three-game series with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Following an injury-plagued start to the campaign, the Yankees have started to produce consistent results, posting consecutive losses just once during a 21-8 run that has pulled them within a half-game of the division-leading Rays.

"The @Yankees are playing .600 ball without many of their best players… But imagine what might happen when those players come back."

–@Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/kniB8zOlfd

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 16, 2019

The Yankees took two of three from the Rays at Tropicana Field last weekend, capped by Sunday’s 7-1 rout as +172 underdogs, and have been dominant on home turf, going 12-3 while claiming victory in five straight series.

Injuries continue to be a massive concern for New York. Earlier this week, Miguel Andujar joined a long list of Yankees in the clinic, including Greg Bird, Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, James Paxton, and Luis Severino. But the club has received surprising production from unexpected sources, including infielders Gio Urshela and DJ LeMahieu, who have both contributed at the plate.

Rays vs Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers

Game 2 Final Rays 1 Marlins 0 SWEEP!

Highlights

Adames 1-2, BB, RUN
*Bemboom 2-2, DBL, RBI (1st MLB H and RBI)

Stanek, Beeks (W, 3-0, 3 IP, 4 K), Kolarek, Pagán (2 K), Alvarado (H, 5), Roe (H, 8), Castillo (S,5, 2 K) scoreless IP. pic.twitter.com/rzDRkFw2eJ

— TB Rays Republic (@TBRaysRepublic) May 16, 2019

The Rays are coming off a two-game sweep in Miami earlier this week, but have struggled to maintain the momentum that powered them to a 14-4 start, going 7-16 so far this month. However, Tampa Bay remains the best road team in baseball, going 7-3 in its past 10, and 14-5 on the season. The Rays have also taken three of four from New York at Yankee Stadium, limiting the Pinstripes to just one run in three of those contests.

Pick: Yankees (-110)

Houston Astros vs Boston Red Sox Series Prices

Astros Ride Eight-Game Win Streak into ALCS Rematch with Red Sox at Fenway

The Houston Astros will be looking to widen their lead atop both the AL West standings and the World Series odds they visit Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox for the first time since last season’s ALCS.

Hobbled by injuries late last season, the Astros bowed in of the postseason in five games against Boston. However, with the club enjoying vastly improved health, they have rocketed to the top of the MLB standings, and returned to their familiar perch as +250 favorites on the World Series odds.

The Astros have averaged 8.17 runs per game during their current 11-1 run, while holding opponents to two or fewer runs on six occasions. The club’s dominance extends to the road, where they have won five straight while piling up 48 total runs.

The Astros have averaged 8.17 runs per game during their current 11-1 run, while holding opponents to two or fewer runs on six occasions.

Houston will be without former AL MVP Jose Altuve, who is sidelined until later this month with a hamstring injury, but are undefeated in five outings without the superstar second baseman.

Astros vs Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers

The Red Sox have finally shaken off their dismal start, winning 12 of 15 to return to contention in the AL East after posting wins in just six of their first 19 outings. Boston is 4-1 on their current home stand, capped by Wednesday’s narrow 6-5 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies as -150 chalk.

However, the Red Sox have struggled in recent home meetings with Houston, dropping seven of 11, and have not posted a series win over the Astros at home during the regular season since 2016.

Pick: Astros (+115)

Milwaukee Brewers vs Atlanta Braves Series Price

Brewers, Braves Look to Keep Pace in Respective Divisional Races

The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Atlanta on a high after taking three of four from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this week at Citizens Bank Park. The Brewers outscored the Phillies by a wide 22-6 margin over their three wins, putting the brakes on a three-game losing streak, during which the club tallied just six total runs.

The Brewers have enjoyed little success in recent visits to Atlanta, posting just two series wins in eight visits since 2010.

The Brewers have enjoyed little success in recent visits to Atlanta, posting just two series wins in eight visits since 2010. Milwaukee has been streaky at best on the road this season. The club has suffered sweeps on the road at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals, and also dropped two of three to the rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field last weekend.

Brandon Woodruff last 3 starts:
11.12 K/9
1.06 ERA
1.88 FIP
3.19 xFIP
21.2 K-BB%
?#ThisIsMyCrew @Brewers #FantasyBaseball

— SP Streamer (@SPStreamer) May 17, 2019

Milwaukee has been getting strong pitching from Jhoulys Chacin, who is expected to get the start on Friday after amassing a strong 1.59 ERA in his past three starts while holding opposing hitters to a .186 average and .555 OPS. Sunday’s scheduled starter Brandon Woodruff has also been stellar of late, going 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his past four starts.

Brewers vs Braves Probable Starting Pitchers

The Braves are coming off a pair of impressive wins over the Cardinals, including a 10-2 rout on Thursday as a -110 bet, and have limited opponents to three or fewer runs on four occasions during their current 5-1 run.

However, the Braves have struggled with consistency on home turf, going 5-8 in their past 13 at SunTrust Park, and have not won three series in a row since the first 10 days of the regular season.

Pick: Brewers (+105)

Additional MLB Series Odds